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Vette Theft - What to Do?
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Dallas Texas
After working at a car shop that installed both alarms and tracking units. They both suck.
An alarm is easily circumvented no matter how good. If you have the installation manual its a joke. Our installers could jack a car with the most expensive alarms out there in minutes (even properly installed). This only holds true for a real car thief, not the idiots that wish they knew how to steal cars.
Tracking devices are great to catch the thief, but I wouldn't recommend them. Honestly if my car is stolen, I don't want it back, the damage that can be done to it in those 5 minutes to 10 hours is so unbelievable its not worth it. Had an 18 wheeler stolen that had tracking devices on it and got it back and the electrical was so messed up even the dealer/manufacturer never could get it working 100% again.
An alarm is easily circumvented no matter how good. If you have the installation manual its a joke. Our installers could jack a car with the most expensive alarms out there in minutes (even properly installed). This only holds true for a real car thief, not the idiots that wish they knew how to steal cars.
Tracking devices are great to catch the thief, but I wouldn't recommend them. Honestly if my car is stolen, I don't want it back, the damage that can be done to it in those 5 minutes to 10 hours is so unbelievable its not worth it. Had an 18 wheeler stolen that had tracking devices on it and got it back and the electrical was so messed up even the dealer/manufacturer never could get it working 100% again.
Melting Slicks
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From: Willow Springs IL
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
1. Good insurance.
2. Lock you doors.
3. Arm the security system.
4. DO NOT LEAVE REGISTRATION PAPERS IN THE CAR. Shrink/Photocopy the papers and carry them in your wallet/purse. If crooks don't have your info --- they can't lie and say they know you.
5. DO NOT LEAVE MAIL/BILLS.
6. Garage if you can.
7. If you cover it --- lock you cover.
8. Talk to your neighbors --- if they know you, people they don't know will stick out.
9. USE COMMON SENSE.
2. Lock you doors.
3. Arm the security system.
4. DO NOT LEAVE REGISTRATION PAPERS IN THE CAR. Shrink/Photocopy the papers and carry them in your wallet/purse. If crooks don't have your info --- they can't lie and say they know you.
5. DO NOT LEAVE MAIL/BILLS.
6. Garage if you can.
7. If you cover it --- lock you cover.
8. Talk to your neighbors --- if they know you, people they don't know will stick out.
9. USE COMMON SENSE.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 355
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From: Calgary AB
Heh we just got a Dogue De Bordeaux aka French Mastiff (Turner and Hooch Dog) anyhow he is 7 1/2 months old and already 100 lbs 
We expect him to get to be 130-145 lbs.............so nowhere near as big as those other dogs shown above. I must also say he is a huge baby!! He thinks he is a lap dog and wants to sleap in our bed with us!
Tony2
We expect him to get to be 130-145 lbs.............so nowhere near as big as those other dogs shown above. I must also say he is a huge baby!! He thinks he is a lap dog and wants to sleap in our bed with us!
Tony2
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Last edited by DefenderC5; Mar 20, 2008 at 12:19 AM.
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I just keep it in the garage when at home and when out and about, the car is locked when I leave it. I also don't park in dimly lit areas. If a pro wants the car, chances are they will get it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
I don't really worry about it. My Z06 is also my daily driver. I tend to work long days so it's parked at work on the street or in a parking lot more than it's at home.
I do the obvious things. Lock the doors. Don't leave valuables in sight (nothing in the car at all actually other than a pen and pad of paper). Park under a streetlight if possible.
Other than that I just have good insurance. Seattle is consistently one of the top 5 cities for auto theft. And our pathetic justice system here means that even with 10+ convictions a person is still not likely to spend more than 60 days in jail.
Shy of never leaving it out of my sight, there isn't really much I can do that would 100% prevent someone from stealing it. If they are a professional car thief nothing will stop them. If they are an amateur looking for a joy ride they are just as likely to severely damage you car trying to unsuccessfully steal it. Or vandalize it after a failed attempt.
I'm actually more worried about the local tree huggers vandalizing the car via keying or other methods than I am of it being stolen.
I do the obvious things. Lock the doors. Don't leave valuables in sight (nothing in the car at all actually other than a pen and pad of paper). Park under a streetlight if possible.
Other than that I just have good insurance. Seattle is consistently one of the top 5 cities for auto theft. And our pathetic justice system here means that even with 10+ convictions a person is still not likely to spend more than 60 days in jail.
Shy of never leaving it out of my sight, there isn't really much I can do that would 100% prevent someone from stealing it. If they are a professional car thief nothing will stop them. If they are an amateur looking for a joy ride they are just as likely to severely damage you car trying to unsuccessfully steal it. Or vandalize it after a failed attempt.
I'm actually more worried about the local tree huggers vandalizing the car via keying or other methods than I am of it being stolen.
